A Pet Shop Holiday Announcement + (Bittersweet) Update

The Holiday Annoucement

Update: WOW. We sold out (and then some) within 30 minutes of this post going live. Thank you for being the most supportive, amazing readers a girl could ever ask for. Please excuse me while I let this all sink in.

For this time of year, we’ve had an unusual rush of Pet Shop orders, so forgive me for bringing up the holidays so early… but I can no longer delay our annual Pet Shop holiday announcement! As of today, I can only accept 10 more custom portrait orders to be completed before December 25th. Whether this has been on your own wishlist or you’re looking to give a sweet, personal gift for a friend, I encourage you to purchase a painting at The Pet Shop today, as we commonly sell out within the first 24 hours (or less!) of our annual announcement. Once this limit has been reached, items in the shop will be deactivated and ‘sold out.’

It has been another busy year of business for the Shop, and although I rarely talk about it here, I want you to know that both Scott and I appreciate all the love you’ve shown this little business. Did that you know that this week, we’re celebrating 7 years of painting pets? In that time, I’ve been commissioned to create more than 1,300 portraits(dogs, cats, bunnies, mice and birds alike!), and we’ve been able to donate upwards of $10,000 – both monetarily and through auctions – to nonprofit animal rescue groups. It has been the most incredible, rewarding side hustle that the planner in me never planned, and for that, we thank you.

The (Bittersweet) Update

All of this is why it’s hard for me to write the ‘update’ portion of this post. The Pet Shop’s virtual doors opened in 2010 (after increased requests from you!), and after a whirlwind of years painting the cutest, most handsome teeny toes and shiny noses, I’ll be saying goodbye – for now – to commission work. As a result, I’ve also deactivated the option to purchase gift certificates for the season, as I’ll be unable to take on any additional redemptions in the new year. After the 10 remaining paintings have sold, the shop will be taking an indefinite break (because I’m truly terrible at goodbyes, and who can really predict what the future holds?).

This blog has seen opportunities that we couldn’t have imagined, including the birth of The Pet ShopandThe Print Shop. Our gratitude for all that has come our way is difficult to express, so much so, that I’ve been procrastinating with this very post, finding reasons to continually put it off (ahem, I must vacuum right this second!). Saying goodbye – even to one sector of my/our work – has been, and will likely continue to be a challenge. However, it’s because of these opportunities that something had to give, and in order to work as hard as I’d like in other aspects of my life – and my goodness, with our baby girl on the way! – it’s finally time for me to give The Pet Shop a misty eyed farewell.

Thank you. Thank you for turning a handful of requests for custom pet paintings of your own into a business that allowed me to give working for myself a fair shot – a hope that every art school kid (like this kid here!) dreams for. Over the years, you’ve shared your VIP family members with me, offering stories of rescue, love, goofiness and loss. I have cried with you, smiled at countless floppy ears and speckled noses and laughed out loud at some of the best underbites I’ve ever seen. I’m going to miss it so very much.

PS: Outstanding gift certificates are, of course, still redeemable! I’ll continue working on The Pet Shop behind the scenes as usual throughout the end of this year, and starting next year, I’ll take GC redemptions as they come. Pet Prints of already commissioned work will remain available!

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Kate9.12.17 - 8:31 AM

Kim! I first got to know you through this lovely blog of yours but I got to know you better through The Pet Shop. You painted three (3!!!) of my dog, Wilson (nobody can ever accuse me of not being utterly ridiculous about my dog). I love them to tiny bits and you were the absolute sweetest and kindest person to work with. Literally the first thing I did when I read this post was go click on the shop to see if maaaaaaybe I should get a fourth. Sadly, I missed out but my sincere congrats to the lucky peeps who got one because these paintings are such a treasure. If life and time brings you back to The Pet Shop, we’ll be here waiting. Otherwise, I’ll still be reading along to see more nursery updates, bookmark paint colors, and remind myself that I’m not handy in the slightest!ReplyCancel

KATE! This is so, so sweet of you to say, and I’m honored to have painted Wilson’s many sides. (I think my favorite miiiight be the bunny ears!) Thank you for sharing your experience, because it’s one I won’t forget either.ReplyCancel

Kate9.12.17 - 9:42 AM

I mean – I love them all but pretty much everyone who sees them stops and sighs over the bunny ears. It’s my niece’s favorite in particular! No joke – that painting has inspired her to go AS Wilson w/bunny ears for Halloween (we’ll see if her 4 year old brain remembers that by October).ReplyCancel

Leah9.12.17 - 8:37 AM

I purchased a pet portrait for my mom a few years ago of our beloved little wiener dog Ringo. She adores it and it has a prominent spot on the mantle at home :) I’ve always wanted one of our pup Luna, and sadly just missed out, as they sold out while I was entering my payment info ? Thanks so much for your amazing art, it meant a lot to us after Ringo passed! So excited for all of the excitement and changes coming to your life, I can’t wait to keep reading about your sweet family!ReplyCancel

I’ve enjoyed my gorgeous Pet Shop painting of Ray and photobomb Julius for well over a year now. I’ve had it on my dining room buffet and gaze at it during every meal. About a week ago I moved it to the bedroom dresser where I can look at it even more often. I’d have to say it is definitely a prized possession and I feel fortunate to have gotten it. Best of luck in the next endeavor.ReplyCancel

Gah! I am so sad! I have been hinting at my boyfriend to get me a portrait of my pup for ChristmasReplyCancel

Nina9.12.17 - 10:10 AM

I’ll never forget my escalating happiness at seeing the box arrive from your studio to the moment I saw Zelda’s amazing portrait inside. I loved working with you on that then and now for Cooper’s portrait (I’m so glad I requested his a few weeks ago). I’ve loved seeing your pet shop reveals over the years. You’ve made a lot of pet parents happy and helped rescues too. That’s a lot to be proud of. Bravo!ReplyCancel

I will cherish my portrait of Vegas FOREVER. Thank you so much for that.ReplyCancel

Bernadette9.12.17 - 10:31 AM

OH MY GOODNESS! I am so glad I ordered my painting a few weeks ago (and oddly enough, just emailed you the photos before coming over here and reading the news). This is very bittersweet – we were planning to order another painting of our two pups together after Christmas. If you have any favorite pet artists you’d recommend, I’d love to read a post about them. Though none of them can replace you – you have a special talent with capturing personality.ReplyCancel

Tim Stephans9.12.17 - 10:37 AM

If our house was on fire, I would grab your Stiles portrait on the way out.ReplyCancel

Ugh! I’m completely disappointed that we have not gotten around to ordering a painting of Hank. We absolutely treasure the painting you did of Mojo. I hung it in my cube (while home renovations dragged on) and was frequently asked if it was a photo. Your work is completely amazing!ReplyCancel

BEcky9.12.17 - 3:55 PM

Awww shoot! I had been procrastinating on ordering a portrait of my first “baby” (and had planned to give one or two as gifts this year too), but saw this post too late…as a mom of a human kiddo now too, I totally appreciate your need to scale back though! If you ever decide to re-open the shop I will definitely place some orders. All the best to your growing family!ReplyCancel

Hilary Taylor9.13.17 - 9:55 AM

Ditto! I had it pulled up and was procrastinating. I really appreciate your modern style and, as a reader of the blog, haven’t really looked into other artist. Kim, it is a weird ask but if you know of any other awesome pet artists out there, would you be willing to share?ReplyCancel